Connecting structure for the separable part of a dual drum pedal

ABSTRACT

A connecting structure for connecting an inner and an outer rod wherein at least one and more typically two screws at circumferentially spaced apart locations attach the inner and outer rods. An elastic seating plate has an insertion opening in from one side edge followed by a compressive enveloping opening therein which envelopes each of the screws and is also positioned radially outward of the outer rod, so that when the screws are released from the outer rod, they do not fall away from the seating plate. This also prevents idling of the screws. The connecting structure is usable on a drum pedal where a remote pedal is operated for operating a drum beater through a connecting rod on which there is at least one of the connecting structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dual drum pedal and particularly tothe connecting structure between the separable parts of the dual drumpedal.

PRIOR ART EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 7-10 show a prior art embodiment of a dual drum pedal. A dual drumpedal P1 includes two drum head beaters 12 and 22, which arerespectively operated by the right and left feet of a performer, forbeating a single bass drum D. Both beaters 12 and 22 are supported forswinging on the frame 11 of the first pedal 10. A rotary shaft 23 onwhich the second beater 22 is supported for rotation is provided on theframe 11 of the first pedal 10. The rotary shaft 13 for the first beater12 is also provided on the frame 11. The rotary shaft 23 is connectedwith the operating shaft 28. The shaft 28 is rotatably operated by thesecond pedal 20 which is separate from the said first pedal. Aconnecting rod 40 joins the shafts 13 and 28. The bass drum D includes adrum head Da, a drum body Db and a drum hoop Dc.

There is a first pedal plate 10A for the performer's right foot. Thepedal plate 10A is pivotally supported to the first pedal frame 11. Anoperating member 14, such as a sprocket, etc. is installed on the firstbeater rotary shaft 13. A chain, a belt, or the like connects the firstpedal plate 10A and the operating member 14. There is an installationmember 16 for the first beater 12, a cam 17 for the first beater rotaryshaft 13, a return spring 18 provided on the cam 17 and a drum hoopclamp 19.

The second beater rotary shaft 23 for the second beater 22 is alsoprovided on the first pedal 10 and its frame 11. An installation member24 installs the second beater 22 on the second beater rotary shaft 23.There is a respective cam 25 for the second beater rotary shaft 23. Aspring 26 provided on the cam 25 is for restoring its originalorientation. A bearing 27 between the shaft 23 for the second beater andthe first shaft 13 provides linked integration of the first beaterrotary shaft 13 and the second beater rotary shaft 23 in a mannerpermitting each of them to be freely rotatable in a mutually independentmanner.

The second pedal 20 includes a second pedal plate 20A for theperformer's left foot, a second pedal frame 21 on which the plate 20A isrotatably supported, a second operating shaft 28 which is rotatablyoperated by the second pedal plate 20A, an operating member 29, such asa sprocket, etc. for rotating the operating shaft 28 and a chain, belt,etc. 30 for joining the second pedal plate 20A and the operating member29.

A connecting rod 40 transmits the rotation of the second operating shaft28, which is caused by operation of the pedal plate 20A of the secondpedal 20, to the second beater rotary shaft 23 supported on the firstpedal 10. The rod 40 is joined with the operating shaft 28 at one endand with the second beater rotary shaft 23 at the other end through therespective universal joints 45 and 46 at both ends of the rod 40, sothat the first pedal 10 and the second pedal 20 may be freely arrangedby a performer at any orientation with respect to each other, to beselected by the performer using the pedals. A respective fixing screw 47links each universal joint 45 and 46 with the respective second beateroperating shaft 23 and the operating shaft 28.

The connecting rod 40 ordinarily has a flexible structure which enablesthe distance and the relative orientations between the first pedal 10and the second pedal 20 to be set for the convenience of the performer.The connecting rod 40 includes a first rod 41 linked to the universaljoint 45 on the side of the first pedal 10 and a second rod 42 linked tothe universal joint 46 on the side of the second pedal 20. The rods 41and 42 are provided in a hollow main pipe 43 so as to slide freelytherein. The positions of expansion and contraction of the distancebetween the pedals are fixed by the fixing screws 44 that have beenscrewed to both ends of the main pipe 43 and press against therespective pipes 41 and 42 within.

The first pedal 10 and the second pedal 20 are linked together by alinking rod 40 in the dual drum pedal during their use at a performance.But they may have to be separated for storage or transportation. Theseparation will naturally have to be done at the linking part, and isnormally done as shown in either of FIGS. 9 or 10.

In FIG. 9, the fixing screws 47 for both universal joints 45 and 46 onboth sides of the linking rod member 40 are loosened, for releasing theunion between the second beater rotary shaft 23 of the first pedal 10and the operating shaft 28 of the second pedal 20 and dividing the pedalinto three parts.

FIG. 10 shows the fixing screw 44 for fixing one of the rods of thelinking rod member 40, the first rod 41 in the drawings, to the mainpipe 43 being loosened, enabling withdrawal of the first rod 41 from themain pipe 43 and dividing the pedal into two parts.

However, the fixing screws 47 and 44 remain screwed on their variousrespective parts after a separation of the pedals at the connecting rod40 into two or three parts. Because no load is applied to these fixingscrews after the separation of the parts, idling may develop due tovibrations or shocks. For example, loosened fixing screws may drop outdue to an impact delivered at the times of shifting or of transportationby a vehicle, etc. Since this type of fixing screw is small in size,they tend to be lost if dropped.

Because the fixing screw is used in fixing the connecting rod 40, whichis essential for transmitting the action of the second pedal 20, thepossible loss of the fixing screw makes it nearly impossible to carryout a performance with the dual drum pedal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention has an object of providing a simple structure forpreventing idling of the remaining fixing screws at the separating partand for preventing loss of the screws due to their dropping out.

The invention concerns an improvement in the dual drum pedal of theprior art for the purpose of holding the fixing screws used for theconnecting rod so that they do not fall free of the part of the drumpedal at which they remain when the drum pedal is separated into partsfor storage, transportation, etc. As in the prior art, the dual drumpedal has a first and a second drum beater which are supported on theframe for the first of the pedals, has a second pedal, which is normallysupported at a distance from the first pedal on a separate second pedalframe, and has a connecting rod between the second pedal and the secondshaft which is rotated by the second pedal for connecting the secondshaft to the rotary shaft for the second beater located at the firstpedal. Further, when necessary, the two drum pedals should be separatedinto separate units at least at a connection between one of the drumpedals and the connecting rod between the drum pedals.

There is a connection from the connecting rod between the two drumpedals with the rotary shaft that is connected that is to the seconddrum beater located at the first pedal frame and with the rotary shaftconnected to the second drum pedal and located at the second pedalframe. That connection is obtained by respective fixing screws. Thereare fixing screws at the connections between the connecting rod and therespective rotary shaft at the second pedal, on the one hand, and therotary shaft at the second drum beater at the other hand.

The connecting rod between the rotary shaft at the second pedal and therotary shaft at the second beater is comprised of two separate rodsections with a hollow sleeve or tube around them, wherein the two rodsections can be moved together or apart, shortening or lengthening therod. There are respective fixing screws at each end of the tube orsleeve and which are tightened against the respective first and secondrelatively movable rod sections for setting the length of the connectingrod between the second pedal rotary shaft and the second beater rotaryshaft. This enables adjustment of the spacing between the second pedaland the second drum beater for the particular performer.

According to the invention, at each of the fixing screws, an idlingpreventive part or element is provided which is wrapped around the screwat the part where the screw is supported and which remains installed inplace between the two elements, i.e. the parts of the connecting rod andthe connection between a universal joint and a shaft, where therespective screw is supported.

Other objects and features of the invention are explained below withreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view in partial cross-section of a dual drum pedal ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is an expanded partial view showing essential parts;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section along line 3--3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an oblique view showing an example of a first elastic seatingplate;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section along line 5--5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an oblique view showing an example of a second of an elasticseating plate;

FIG. 7 shows the upper surface of a dual drum pedal according to priorart;

FIG. 8 is a front view of that prior art dual drum pedal, with a partthereof being shown in cross section;

FIG. 9 is an upper surface view of a prior art example when the dualdrum pedal has been divided;

FIG. 10 is an upper surface view of the prior art indicating an exampleof the drum pedal having another division.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The dual drum pedal P shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has essentially the sameconstruction as the prior art dual drum pedal P1 in FIGS. 7 through 10,except for the structures at the separating parts at the linking rod 40at S1 and S2. Therefore, the same reference numbers are used withoutfurther explanation.

In the dual drum pedal P of the invention, a second beater rotary shaft23 for the second beater 22 is provided on the first frame 11 of thefirst pedal 10. The first pedal rotates the first beater rotary shaft 13for the first beater 12 as described earlier. The second beater rotaryshaft 23 at the first pedal 10 is driven by the operating shaft 28 thatis rotatably operated by the second pedal 20 on the second frame 21. Therotary shafts 23 and 28 are arranged at a distance by the connecting rod40. In addition, the dual drum pedal P is so constructed that it can bedivided freely through the loosening of the fixing screws 47 and 44,which are placed similarly as in FIG. 8, at the separating parts S1 andS2 at both ends of the rod 40.

As shown in FIG. 3, there is a pair of arcuately spaced apart fixingscrews 47 around the shaft 23 or 28 at each universal joint. Accordingto the invention, the fixing screws 47 are installed on the universaljoints 45 and 46 and the shafts 23 and 28, not loosely, as in FIGS. 7and 8, but through the first elastic material seating plate 50, which ismade of rubber or plastic, etc. which is located at the separating partS1, as seen in FIG. 3 and which wraps around the exterior of theuniversal joint. In this example, each first elastic seating plate 50has an inner surface which has an arcuate curvature that conforms to theouter shape of the respective universal joints 45 and 46, around whicheach plate 50 is wrapped. When the screws are separated from theuniversal joints, the plates 50 remain with the screws. Hence, theconnections of the universal joints to the rod 40 is through seatingplates 50.

At the separating parts S2, the fixing screws 44 are installed at bothends of the main pipe 43 after passing through the second elasticseating plates 60 which are also made of rubber or plastic, etc. as seenin FIG. 5. In this example, further, the second elastic seating plate 60has a planar shape that corresponds to the shape of the upper surface ofthe main pipe 43, as shown in FIG. 6.

The elastic seating plates 50 and 60 of FIGS. 4 and 6 have respectiveidling preventive parts 51 and 61 which include the insertion openings52 and 62 for the compressive insertion of the threaded screw parts 47aand 44a of the fixing screws 47 and 44 from the sides 47b and 44b andincludes the screw enveloping parts 53 and 63 linked to the insertionopenings 52 and 62 and that envelope the screw parts 47a and 44a.

The screw enveloping parts 53 and 63 have respective inner diameterswhich are smaller than the outside diameter of the screw parts 47a and44a of the fixing screws 47 and 44 but larger than the width of theinsertion openings 52 and 62. Because of this, radially inwardlydirected pressure is applied by the inner surfaces of the envelopingparts 53 and 63 against the screw parts 47a and 44a of the remainingfixing screws 47 and 44 after the fixing screws 47 and 44 in theseparating parts S1 and S2 have been loosened, as described later. Thereis resistance, i.e., friction resistance, against the rotation of thefixing screws 47 and 44 in the loosening direction, thereby preventingidling of the fixing screws 47 and 44.

Since the elastic seating plates 50 and 60 have insertion openings 52and 62 as described, it is possible to compressively insert the screwparts 47a and 44a of the fixing screws 47 and 44 from the sides 47b and44b into the insertion openings 52 and 62 when the dual drum pedal P isassembled.

In this connection, the peripheries of the insertion openings 52 and 62are elastically deformed so as to expand the insertion openings 52 and62. This makes it possible to compressively insert the screw parts 47aand 44a of the fixing screws 47 and 44 into the insertion openings 52and 62 from the sides 47b and 44b, thereby installing the elasticseating plates 50 and 60 by enveloping them at the screw envelopingparts 53 and 63. This enables the dual drum pedal P to be easilyassembled.

In this embodiment, the elastic seating plate 50 (60) has two idlingpreventive parts 51 (61) for the two fixing screws 47 (44). There is adeformable cut part 55 (65) formed between the two idling-preventiveparts 51 (61).

With two idling preventive parts 51 (61) at the elastic seating plate 50(60) as described above, after the loosening of the fixing screws 47(44), even if one fixing screw and the elastic seating plate mightrotate together, that rotation can be prevented by the other fixingscrew.

The cut part 55 (65), which is capable of being deformed, between thetwo idling preventive parts 51 (61) as described above, is effectiveduring the compressive insertion of the screw part 47a (44a) of thefixing screw 47 (44) into the insertion opening 52 (62) from its side47b (44b), to enable the peripheries of the insertion openings 52 (62)to elastically deform so as to smoothly expand the openings 52 (62),thereby making it possible to smoothly insert the fixing screws 47 (44)into the insertion openings 52 (62). As a result, the operability forthe installation of the dual drum pedal P can be improved.

The dual drum pedal P having the connecting construction of the linkingrod member can be divided in two or three parts at the separating partsS1 or S2, as is shown in FIG. 9 or 10 in connection with the explanationof the conventional technology. As was pointed out as to the prior artdesign, moreover, the fixing screws 47 and 44 remain screwed to theseparating parts S1 and S2.

Here, the fixing screws 47 and 44 that have remained in the separatingparts S1 and S2 as they were loosened as described earlier receiveinwardly directed pressure from the inner walls of the screw envelopingparts 53 and 63 of the idling preventive parts 51 and 61 of the elasticseating plates 50 and 60 (resistance against idling) at the screw parts47a and 44a. This, in turn, holds the plates 50 and 60 to the respectivescrews. Therefore, there is no possibility for idling due to thevibrations or shocks received during the movement or transportation by avehicle, etc. This can prevent the fixing screws 47 and 44 from beingdropped and lost from the separating parts S1 and S2.

In the connecting structure of the connective rod member in the dualdrum pedal of the invention, the fixing screws are installed throughrespective elastic seating plates which are equipped with an idlingpreventive part. This makes it possible, by an extremely simpleconstruction, to prevent idling of a fixing screw that remains in theseparating part and prevents the screw possibly falling out and beinglost during transportation, etc.

At the idling preventive part of the elastic seating plate, theinsertion hole for compressive insertion from the side of the screw partof the fixing screw is continuous with the screw enveloping part. Thismakes it possible to install the elastic seating plate after theinstallation of the fixing screws at the separating part at the time ofassembly, thereby making it possible to easily assemble the dual drumpedal.

If the elastic seating plate includes two idling-preventive parts forthe two fixing screws, even if one fixing screw and the elastic seatingplate could start rotating together after the loosening of the fixingscrews, that rotation can be prevented by the other one of the fixingscrews.

If a cut region of the plate that can be deformed is formed between thetwo idling preventive parts, it becomes possible to compressively insertthe screw parts of the fixing screws smoothly into the insertionopenings of the idling-preventive parts, which makes it easier toassemble the dual drum pedal.

Although the present invention has been described in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It ispreferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by thespecific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connecting structure for connecting two rods,wherein the rods include a first inner rod, a second outer rod with abore along its length, the first rod being installed inside the boreextending through second outer rod; the connecting structure comprisingathreaded bore radially through the outer second rod and communicating tothe inner first rod; a fixing screw threadedly installed in the threadedbore in the second rod and tightenable against the first rod; an elasticseating plate located on the threaded screw radially outward of thesecond outer rod, the elastic seating plate having a side edge, a fixingscrew insertion opening extending in from the side edge of the plate,the insertion opening being narrower than the screw for causing theplate to be compressed at the insertion opening during insertion of thescrew through and along the length of the insertion opening in from theedge of the plate; an enveloping part of the seating plate communicatingwith the insertion opening and being shaped for enveloping the screw,whereby upon separation of the screw from the outer second rod, thescrew may be held supported in the enveloping part of the seating plate.2. The connecting structure of claim 1, further comprising two of theradial, threaded bores into the second rod at circumferentially spacedapart locations around the second rod, and a respective one of thefixing screws in each of the bores;the elastic seating plate having arespective one of the insertion openings at each of the fixing screwsand a respective one of the enveloping parts communicating with each ofthe insertion openings, each of the enveloping parts enveloping therespective screw whereby the screws may be supported in the seatingplate when the screws are removed from the respective bores.
 3. Theconnecting structure of claim 2, further comprising a deformable sectionof the seating plate between the first and second insertion openings andbetween the first and second enveloping parts for enabling deformationof the seating plate around the second outer rod.
 4. The connectingstructure of claim 3, wherein the deformable section comprises a cut infrom the side edge of the seating plate for enabling its deformationaround the second outer rod.
 5. The connecting structure of claim 2,wherein the elastic seating plate is comprised of elastic material andthe enveloping part is shaped to envelope the respective screw.
 6. Theconnecting structure of claim 5, wherein the enveloping parts of theseating plate each include an opening with a diameter smaller than theoutside diameter of the respective screw and the insertion opening is ofnarrower width than the diameter of the enveloping parts.
 7. Incombination, the connecting structure of claim 2, and a dual drum pedalcomprisinga first pedal operable for operating a first drum beater, afirst drum beater connected with the first pedal such that operating thefirst pedal operates the first beater, a second pedal operable foroperating a second drum beater, second drum beater connected with thesecond pedal such that operating the second pedal operates the secondbeater; and a connecting rod between the second pedal and the seconddrum beater, wherein the connecting rod includes the first inner rod andthe second outer rod thereon and the connecting structure is disposed onthe first and second rods.
 8. The combination of claim 7, wherein thereare two of the first inner rods respectively movable toward and awayfrom each other, a single one of the outer rods encompassing both of theinner rods so that the inner rods can be movable toward and away fromeach other within the outer rod; anda respective one of the connectingstructures between the outer rod and each of the inner rods.
 9. Theconnecting structure of claim 1, wherein the elastic seating plate iscomprised of elastic material and the enveloping part is shaped toenvelope the respective screw.
 10. The connecting structure of claim 9,wherein the enveloping part of the seating plate includes an openingwith a diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the respectivescrew and the insertion opening is of narrower width than the diameterof the enveloping part.